On politics in the Golden State

Debra Bowen reelected California secretary of state

Democrat Debra Bowen was reelected as the state's top elections officer, besting Republican Damon Dunn, a former professional football player and political newcomer who had never held elected office.

Bowen returns for another term in the largely ministerial post overseeing the state's elections, voting systems and campaign finance information. Bowen was first elected in 2006, besting Republican Bruce McPherson of Santa Cruz, who was appointed to the post by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger after Democrat Kevin Shelley was forced to resign the post over his office's handling of federal election money.

Bowen, a former state senator from Marina del Rey, has been an opponent of touch-screen voting and has tangled with many county election officials over use of the machines.